Ban Ki-moon condemns violence in Pakistan

United Nations: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the ongoing violence in Pakistan, describing it as "escalating terrorist violence" and expressing the UN's support for the country to counter terrorism.

The UN chief's spokesperson in a statement on Sunday said, "The secretary general is appalled by the escalating terrorist violence in Pakistan. He condemns in particular the continued violent targeting of religious minorities."

According to the reports, on Sunday, a car bomb hit a convey of three buses in southwest Pakistan, killing some 20 Shia pilgrims on their way to Iran and injured 25 others.

Ban also strongly condemned the killing of 21 government-backed tribal policemen who were kidnapped last week in northwest Pakistan by the Pakistani Taliban.

"These cruel acts of violence cannot be justified by any cause or grievance," said the statement.

"These perpetrators should be brought to justice," added the statement.